The Connecticut ACE Women’s Network (CTAWN) connects women leaders and supporters in Connecticut’s higher education, under the American Council on Education’s Inclusive Excellence Group.
CTAWN recognizes excellence through these awards:
Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award: Honors a senior leader advancing women in higher education.
Emerging Leader Award: Highlights promising rising leaders.
Graduate Student Scholarship: Supports graduate students focused on social justice and gender equity.
The nomination process will open on November 1, 2025.
All submissions must be submitted by February 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST). Recipients will be announced on February 20, 2026.
We invite you to nominate an outstanding individual for these prestigious awards. The nomination process is designed to highlight the nominee’s achievements, character, and impact. To complete a nomination, please submit the following:
Nomination Letter – This should include a biographical sketch of the nominee (maximum 500 words)
Letter of Support – A letter from a colleague, supervisor, mentee, or mentor who can speak to the nominee’s qualifications and significance in their field or community.
Deadline
All nominations must be submitted by February 13, 2026.
Application Link
https://forms.office.com/r/hJHNa6M256
Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award
The Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award honors a senior-level woman leader in Connecticut’s higher education community who has demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership, and impact. This prestigious award recognizes a woman whose career reflects vision, integrity, and a lasting contribution to her institution, the field of higher education, and society at large.
Nominees should be individuals who have:
Held senior leadership roles within a Connecticut higher education institution.
Consistently advanced the mission of their institution through strategic leadership, innovation, and measurable outcomes.
Made transformative contributions to the profession through scholarship, mentorship, advocacy, or service.
Positively influenced the broader community, promoting equity, opportunity, and social change.
Demonstrated a commitment to mentoring and empowering others, especially women and underrepresented groups in higher education.
Advancement of Self and Others: advancement of their own career but also empowered others, especially women and underrepresented groups, through mentorship, support, or systemic change.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes and honors a woman in Connecticut higher education who has demonstrated early yet impactful leadership in advancing women’s learning and development. This award is intended for a professional with at least five (5) years of experience in higher education who has shown initiative, innovation, and dedication in shaping programs, services, or offices that support the growth and success of women in the academic community.
Nominees should be individuals who:
Have led or significantly contributed to the development or operation of a program, office, or initiative that promotes women’s learning, leadership, or personal development.
Demonstrate vision and leadership potential, with a track record of collaboration, creativity, and measurable impact.
Are committed to equity, inclusion, and empowerment, especially for women and underrepresented groups in higher education.
Serve as a role model and mentor, inspiring others through their work and leadership style.
Shows ongoing commitment and growth to professional development, leadership, and the advancement of higher education.
Graduate Student Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship supports a graduate student who has been accepted to, or is currently enrolled in, a graduate program in the state of Connecticut. The award is intended for a student whose academic work or professional goals reflect a strong commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and positive social change—regardless of their specific field of study.
Applicants may come from any academic discipline, but should demonstrate:
A clear dedication to promoting social justice, gender equality, or inclusive practices through their career aspirations or extracurricular involvement.
Meaningful community engagement, both on and off campus, contributes to equity, empowerment, and systemic change.
Leadership in initiatives, organizations, or projects that support marginalized populations or foster inclusive environments.
Eligibility Criteria
Must be currently enrolled in or accepted to a graduate program in Connecticut.
Academic focus may be in any discipline.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, social justice, or gender equality through professional goals or community engagement.
Evidence of leadership and impact on campus or in the broader community.
